John Winthrop First Governor of the Masschusetts Colony
John Winthrop First Governor of the Masschusetts Colony
John Winthrop First Governor of the Masschusetts Colony
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THE LITTLE SPEECH. 9<br />
crosseth this, is not authority, but a distemper <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong>.<br />
This liberty is maintained and exercised in a way <strong>of</strong> sub-<br />
jection to authority ; it is <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same kind <strong>of</strong> liberty<br />
wherewith Christ hath made us free., The woman's own<br />
choice makes such a man her husband ; yet being so<br />
chosen, he is her lord, and she is to be subject to him,<br />
yet in a way <strong>of</strong> liberty, not <strong>of</strong> bondage ; and a true wife<br />
accounts her subjection her honour and freedom, and<br />
would not think her condition safe and free, but in her<br />
subjection to her husband's authority. Such is <strong>the</strong> lib-<br />
erty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church under <strong>the</strong> authority <strong>of</strong> Christ, her king<br />
and husband ; his yoke is so easy and sweet to her as a<br />
bride's ornaments ; and if through frowardness or wantonness,<br />
etc., she shake it <strong>of</strong>f, at any time, she is at no<br />
rest in her spirit, until she take it up again ; and whe<strong>the</strong>r<br />
her lord smiles upon her, and embraceth her in his arms,<br />
or whe<strong>the</strong>r he frowns, or rebukes, or smites her, she ap-<br />
prehends <strong>the</strong> sweetness <strong>of</strong> his love in all, and is refreshed,<br />
supported, and instructed by every such dispensation <strong>of</strong> his<br />
authority over her. . On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side, ye know who <strong>the</strong>y<br />
are that complain <strong>of</strong> this yoke and say, let us break <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
bands, etc., we will not have this man to rule over us. Even<br />
so, brethren, it will be between you and your magistrates.<br />
If you stand for your natural corrupt liberties, and will<br />
do what is good in your own eyes, you will not endure<br />
<strong>the</strong> least weight <strong>of</strong> authority, but will murmur and oppose<br />
and be always striving to shake <strong>of</strong>f that yoke ; but<br />
if you will be satisfied to enjoy such civil and lawful lib-<br />
erties, such as Christ allows you, <strong>the</strong>n will you quietly<br />
and cheerfully submit unto that authority which is set<br />
over you, in all <strong>the</strong> administrations <strong>of</strong> it, for your good.<br />
Wherein if we fail at any time, we hope we shall be will-<br />
ing (by God's assistance) to hearken to good advice from<br />
any <strong>of</strong> you or in any o<strong>the</strong>r way <strong>of</strong> God so ; shall your<br />
liberties be preserved in upholding <strong>the</strong> honour and, power<br />
<strong>of</strong> authority amongst you.<br />
"
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